Tennessee Police Department Acknowledged in COPS
Office Report

WASHINGTON, DC – The innovative partnership that the Murfreesboro
Police Department, Tennessee developed with their local community is
highlighted in a new Justice Department publication on community policing.
The partnership was developed to engage Murfreesboro’s community to
fight street-level drug dealing. Police – community partnerships are a
core component of community policing.

A new report entitled, "Problem-Solving Partnerships: Including
the Community for a Change," was recently released by the Justice
Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. In this
publication, seven police agencies – including Murfreesboro Police
Department – were highlighted from more than 400 projects evaluated. The
Justice Department report identifies this successful partnership as a
model for other police departments across the nation.

Murfreesboro’s police received high marks for their response to
neighborhood drug "hotspots." Police and residents formed a
strong partnership that resulted in overwhelming community support for a
temporary street closure designed to stop drug dealers. This new approach
contributed to a 45 percent reduction in drug sale-related calls for
service.

Promising law enforcement practices of the top seven model cities are
posted on the COPS home page at www.cops.usdoj.gov.
For more information, please call the COPS office at 202-616-1728.